fireworks ➣ caspar lee

Getting Closer

After a bit, Zoe and I started hearing shouting about Fifa from upstairs and we sat giggling, hearing Alfie's screech. Zoe had absent-mindedly started hanging more of my packed away photos and fairy lights along my walls, creating a nice arc of photos and glittering lights. I yawned, looking at the clock. It was six p.m. Zoe followed my gaze and finished hanging the last light before plopping down on the bed beside me.

"Shall we go back upstairs and pry the boys from their games?" She chuckled. I laughed and nodded, following her upstairs. When we reached the main floor, the boys were playing foosball, Joe against Caspar and Alfie. Alfie was complaining about Joe cheating, and Caspar had started poking the ball towards Joe's goal with his hands. I giggled slightly at their behavior.

"Hey, Joe? Are we going to get dinner together or do you need to go fetch Oli from the airport?" Zoe chimed in, grabbing a leftover cookie from our party a few nights ago. Joe glanced at the clock.

"Oh shite! Yeah, I don't think dinner's going to work Zo. I've got to get Oli." Joe ran his hand through his hair, obviously late to pick up Oli. Alfie, Zoe, and Joe started pulling on their boots. When Caspar jumped in.

"Joe, you haven't gone to dinner in a while with Zoe. Marley and I could go get Oli while you go out." Caspar offered, leaning back on the foosball table. Joe glanced at me for approval.

"Oh, yeah! I'd love to meet Oli!" I said, smiling. Caspar smiled and Joe shrugged, continuing to pull on his boots.

"Where're we going, Zo?" I heard him ask as they left the apartment. Caspar sighed and pulled on a coat, his shoes already on. I hurried downstairs to grab my converse and pulled on my coat. It would be a little chilly out tonight.

"Ready to go?" Caspar asked, holding open the door for me.

"One more thing," I leaned towards him, and his eyes widened. I quickly leaned past him and snatched the last cookie from the plate that stood on the counter scurried out the door, hearing Caspar curse after me.

On the way there, Caspar and I played Truth or Truth.

"So, Marley. What's life like in America?" Caspar asked, glancing at me before focusing on the road again. I bit my lip.

"Well, for one, we drive on the right side of the road." Caspar chuckled. "But, I just finished college and my mom and dad told me to go live with Joe." I laughed, looking at him.

"Any brothers or sisters?" He asked, turning into the airport entrance. I swallowed tightly.

"I had a brother," I said, peering out the window. It had started to drizzle a bit.

"Had?" Caspar's brow furrowed and he continued navigating through the traffic before glancing at me.

"He died when I was seventeen. He got into a bad car crash when his designated driver was driving drunk instead of sober and practically wrapped the car around a tree." I murmured, thinking back to Alex's funeral. Man, did I want to beat the living shite out of that drunk idiot? Caspar rested his hand on my own before pulling over next to a very angry and wet looking Oli.

"I'm sorry that happened, Marley." He said genuinely. I smiled, and Oli pulled open the boot and shoved his suitcase inside before jumping in.

Caspar and him fist bumped and Oli turned his attention to me.

"You must be Molly." He said, extending his hand.

"Actually, it's Marley." I corrected him and shook his hand, smiling. His cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

"Oh, sorry. My bad" He laughed it off.

"No problem. How was your stay back home?" I asked, settling back into my seat as Caspar pulled away from the drive. I ran my hand through my hair.

"It was good. When did you arrive in the U.K?" Oli asked, leaning back in his seat. I snuck a look at Caspar. His eyes were focused on the road.

"I got here on Saturday," I responded, letting silence fill the car on the way home.

When we got home, Oli crashed in his room for the remainder of the night, leaving me and Caspar to hang out until Joe got home. Caspar picked up the phone and called for a delivery pizza before sitting down on the couch next to me. I switched on Netflix and scrolled through the long list of horror movies they had.

"You like horror movies?" Caspar shuddered and I laughed.

"Not really. They give me a big thrill but I'm always petrified." I giggled and chose Dark Skies. Caspar rested his arm on the back of the couch, just above my shoulders.

"By the way, the pizza'll be here in twenty." He said, settling in to watch the movie. The lights were dimmed and it was creepy in the room; shadows were dancing along the walls, creating distorted figures.

I jumped when the dog came to life and started attacking them. Caspar tightened his grip around me, his arm now around my shoulders. I covered my eyes as the even creepier bits began. I practically screamed as the doorbell echoed through the apartment and Caspar howled with laughter. I smacked his chest in mock anger, before calling Oli up for pizza and breadsticks.

Oli sat at the breakfast bar with us, enjoying a large slice of cheese pizza. The mozzarella splayed from the sides of the pizza it was so melty. Caspar dished me a slice and I took a tentative bite, expecting something like American pizza. Shock overwhelmed me.

"Woah!" I almost screamed. It was delicious and gooey and greasy and amazing. Caspar chuckled and pulled out a second slice as I took my second bite. Oli laughed.

"Is it better than American pizza?" Cheese strung from the outsides of his mouth and I giggled.

"So much better." I moaned and took another bite. Oli and Caspar exchanged a look and started laughing. I rolled my eyes and finished off my slice before hearing the door click open.

"Hello!" Joe called into the house. I gave him a quick hug and passed him a slice. Joe's eyes widened with delight and he took a big bite. I laughed.

"Did you have a small dinner?" I asked, sitting back in my chair beside Caspar. Joe shook his head, laughing.

"No, I'm stuffed actually. The pizza's just so good!" He moaned like me and Caspar laughed.

"I can see the resemblance now." He chuckled and I ran my hand over my face tiredly. Joe shooed me.

"Go off to bed, Marley. Stop yawning in my face, you big oaf." He mumbled, munching on his pizza. I looked at the clock. It was only eight p.m. I rolled my eyes and moved to the couch, texting Zoe.

[How was dinner, Zozo?]

[It was good! We all had a great time. Thanks for going to get Oli instead of Joe! I haven't been able to hang out with him a ton with how busy we both are :(]

[Yeah, no problem babe!! What are you doing this weekend? I wanna get coffee with you if I have work off.]

[I should be free. We should film a video together! Can I do your makeup?!?!!]

I chuckled out loud at her enthusiasm.

[Of course. Just do NOT make me look like a doofus.]

[Never! I'm watching a movie with Alfie now. I'll ttyl!]

[Bye!!]

I slid my phone back into my pocket as Joe lumbered downstairs to film a video. Oli joined him- they were doing a collab. I sighed.

"I think I'm going to head to bed. I'll see you in the morning before work?" I said, and Caspar looked up from the pizza box.

"What time?" He mumbled, his mouth stuffed full with pizza. I laughed before responding. 

"Twelve thirty. I'll be there till three." I said. Caspar looked down sheepishly.

"Probably not. I'll still be asleep. But maybe." He swallowed his food and frowned. I shrugged.

"All's good. See you!" I marched downstairs and changed into my pajamas - a tank top and short shorts, before climbing into bed and settling in for the night.